241 "Baby" Hemi swap into 1954 or 1955 C1-C6-116 Truck

[jboymechanic]

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone here has swapped a 241 Dodge Hemi (or Dodge Poly) in place of the original flathead six in one of these trucks?  I'm helping a friend with such a swap and it turns out it is not a straight forward as we had hoped despite the 241 being used coming from another truck and having the same heavy duty 4 speed bell housing.  We also planned to use what we think is the factory V8 front engine mount, but nothing is lining up. 

 

The bell housing mounts line up with the factory cross member, but this jams the heads into the fire wall and the oil pan sump is right above the front axle beam, so the engine needs to come toward the front of the truck.  The frame does appear to have multiple sets of holes for the bell housing cross member, which is bolted onto the frame, to move forward (or even backward), did the factory place the cross member differently depending on engines?  Also, the front mount we have seems to sit a little wider in the frame so the mount holes of the mount don't like up with those in the frame?  Is it possible we have a car v8 front mount?  Does anyone have detailed pictures of a factory v8 installation in one of these trucks?  Any guidance is appreciated.

[Bluzhog53]

I am currently doing the same but a friend is doing the actual work. I believe we used the original front mount but had to build a crossmember to hold up the tranny in back. I’m using a 241 with a 727 trans behind it. Also… we are using a 97 Dakota frame and that seems to be a bit stronger than the stock frame. Might be a bit different from what you’re doing but might give you another idea to change the frame. This way you can modernize the whole truck with brakes steering etc. it might get the purists pissed but I had medical reasons to go this route. 

[9 foot box]

   This is from a C-1 Dodge Service Manual. Looks like a floating power front mount with a front sump pan. It’s the only picture in the manual with a motor mount on the engine. Maybe it helps.  Rick D.

[kencombs]

I can only offer some info but not a direct answer.   In 54-58 the six and 8 used different housing.   Starting in 59 thru 60 they used the same housing.   I have one of the latter going in my 56, but it uses a different rear crossmember, from a 60,  than the 56.

 

To help any further we would need to know the year of your housing, as you may need the crossmember and brackets,   It is common to find a mix of year parts on older equipment, so being bolted to a 241 may not mean it is original.

 

Not a clean and easy swap as the brackets interfer with the rear shackles on the springs.  I had to notch the brackets and will weld an additional mounting ear on them later.

[pato]

On 11/18/2025 at 9:39 PM, 9 foot box said:

   This is from a C-1 Dodge Service Manual. Looks like a floating power front mount with a front sump pan. It’s the only picture in the manual with a motor mount on the engine. Maybe it helps.  Rick D.

 

[pato]

would love to know if  53 b4b trucks were factory equpped w/ a hemi and what trans were used-can't find any data other than this pic from a manual that was posted-thanks!

[kencombs]

My Hollander shows no 8s in b series at all.   They first appeared in the Cs. 
 

I think the hems may have been used but all the 8s I’ve personally seen were Polys.   Dad had a 55 that we overhauled the engine.  Red ram poly and the truck’s body tag was in Spanish!  One later one that I worked on was a 326 I think.  

[pato]

thanks!--so they were used in the large series industrial trks?in 53?

[kencombs]

V8 was not available in model year 1953

[jboymechanic]

We ended up unbolting the cross member that supports the bell housing and moving it 3.25 inches forward.  That allows the oil pan to clear the front axle beam and the heads to clear the fire wall.  Now the pulleys and fan are very close to the radiator, so that will be the next issue to solve.  I think we will be able to push the radiator closer to the grill and be ok.  I'll take pictures next time we're in the shop.

[pato]

7 hours ago, jboymechanic said:

We ended up unbolting the cross member that supports the bell housing and moving it 3.25 inches forward.  That allows the oil pan to clear the front axle beam and the heads to clear the fire wall.  Now the pulleys and fan are very close to the radiator, so that will be the next issue to solve.  I think we will be able to push the radiator closer to the grill and be ok.  I'll take pictures next time we're in the shop.

waiting w/ bated breath... for PICS!!

[QEC]

Use the search function. Dan Babb installed a 354 in similar truck a couple years back. Well documented.

 

[kencombs]

3 hours ago, QEC said:

Use the search function. Dan Babb installed a 354 in similar truck a couple years back. Well documented.

That will help with the location problems, but the early hemi had no side mount provisions.  The little guys mounted on a version of the sixes 'flowing power' front water pump mount.   No block ears available.